Stephen Garcia Suspended: Is This the Last Straw?
by Gamecock Man on Apr 6, 2011 8:32 PM EDT
in South Carolina Gamecocks Football
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PrintAs you undoubtedly know by now, Stephen Garcia has been suspended indefinitely by USC athletics director Eric Hyman. The internet rumors regarding the suspension have been swirling around Garcia misbehaving at a recent athletics department function, either by coming drunk or by simply acting up. Travis Haney confirmed that this evening, writing that
The senior has been suspended for the second time this spring, after an incident last night at a life-skills-building/leadership function on campus.
However, nothing regarding exactly what happened is official yet, and Hyman has only said the following:
"Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right," said Hyman. "We have expectations for our student-athletes and we make them aware that there are consequences for their actions. Stephen has exhibited behavior that is unacceptable for one of our student-athletes. Therefore, he has forfeited the privilege to participate in any football related activity until further notice."
Whatever the reason for Garcia's suspension--and I'm assuming we'll learn soon--these are strong words from Hyman. When the AD gets directly involved, you know you have a serious situation on your hands, and indefinite suspensions typically aren't used other than when there's a solid possibility that a permanent dismissal is in the works.
As always, we should give Garcia the benefit of the doubt until all the facts are out. That said, it certainly appears that he's done something very serious, and even if it's not terribly serious, the argument could be made that Garcia should be on a zero-tolerance policy, meaning that any minor infraction could lead to dismissal. And really, if this infraction has any level of seriousness, how can Hyman and Steve Spurrier not dismiss Garcia and maintain any credibility regarding disciplinary standards? We're talking about a player who at this point is getting close to double digits in run-ins with the law and bad publicity. You can't let someone like that off with another week-long suspension and say you're committed to a high-character football program.
And the truth is, this is a high-character football program now. The guys Spurrier has recruited in recent years are both talented and the kind you can rely on for good ambassadorship and locker-room leadership. Although recruited by Spurrier, Garcia is much more like the kinds of players Lou Holtz recruited. (Of course, it could easily be argued that even Holtz didn't have anyone with quite the penchant for repeated distracting antics that Garcia has.) Maybe, despite his talents, the distractions Garcia brings just aren't worth it anymore. Maybe it's time to cut ties with Garcia so we can take a last step into a new generation for Carolina football.
By the way, while this may seem anti-intuitive to some, personally, I'm more inclined to say that Garcia should be dismissed if alcohol wasn't involved. Alcoholism is a disease, and while his behavior is in some regards fairly typical of college male behavior, his tendency to continue to damage his reputation with his partying is certainly alarming. I wouldn't want to throw Garcia under the bus if what he really needs is, at the very least, the chance to show that he's interested in treatment. Last time I checked, though, assholism isn't a protected category, and if this is just about Garcia acting up and making a fool of himself sans alcohol at the event in question, perhaps that's where we should assign him.
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He's suffering from "we won" syndrome....
It happens to all QB’s after a winning season. Get used to it USC!
While I argue that he shouldnt see the field
I also cant say he should be kicked off the team. This goes back to a point I made a long time ago… USC tries to run an entirely too clean program for the conference they are in.
SEC teams around the conference constantly turn their heads the other way and slap players on the wrist for far worse things than what Garcia is doing. If we as a program EVER want to succeed, were going to have to do the same thing, or else we will never get ahead of the other teams in this conference. (I mean were competing against teams that let, psychotic stalkers, for example, get back on the team if it means winning a game or two)
Personally, winning isn't so important to me that I want us to sacrifice ethics.
I hope we never degrade ourselves and stoop to the levels Meyer did at Florida.
That said, I do think there’s an argument to be made that most of the things Garcia does aren’t really a very big deal. It’s the aggregate that matters, the fact that he keeps breaking the rules.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
I'm going to have to go against the company line on this one.
The evidence is in. Eric Hyman saw fit to dismiss Garcia for the second time this Spring. We’ll probably never get all the evidence because this isn’t a court of law, it’s an Athletic Department issue. All we have to go on is Hyman’s judgment, which I trust. So, considering everything, I say it’s time for Garcia to step aside.
And Garcia should be kicked off the team regardless of whether alcohol was involved. If it wasn’t, well he’s displayed poor decision making skills yet again. If it was, he should be focusing on rehabilitation, not football. What’s the first step of AA? Admitting you have a problem. It’s going to be hard for Garcia to admit he has a problem if his actions don’t have consequences.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT reply actions
Like I said above
I think dismissing him is a bit extreme. I have seen far too often much worse things done around this conference and nation, to vote him off the team as opposed to just a prolonged suspension.
I dunno.
Kids are really in college to learn, and part of that is learning how to function on their own as responsible adults. I’m not for certain saying Garcia is one, but a bad seed can encourage others to act that way as well. If a guy is acting up, he needs to be disciplined, and if he doesn’t change, he needs to be let go in my opinion. As much as I live for football, I’d rather us lose, if that’s what it takes, and our players grow up to act something remotely resembling ethical.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
no way
if a player gets sucked into someone else’s mistakes, thats on them, if they are dumb enough to do that they would have eventually fallen into that trap anyways.
This is the SEC, and the primary focus is winning… especially on the verge of a season we have coming up. You HAVE GOT TO turn your head for small things like this (how else are you going to beat teams that pay freaks to play for them and let psychos on their team to keep from having a losing season).
This is where South Carolina fans to me, make no sense whatsoever. All we do is sit around and complain about not winning anything, yet when we get the chance to potentially make history, we want to play Johnny Ethical.
What you're describing...
is professional football. That’s when winning matters above all else. College sports are still – ostensibly – an amateur endeavor.
Fair our not, athletics has an effect on the public perception of my degree. For that reason, alone, it matters to me (it matter a lot) that we run a clean athletic program. When I go into an interview, I don’t need a subconscious black mark already against me from the interviewer.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
haha
if someone is going to judge my person based on a college kid that happens to have went to the same school as me, I dont want to work at that place anyways. By what you are saying, it would be impossible for a person that went to any other SEC school to get a job.
and if you dont think the SEC isnt a professional company then you are quite frankly
blind… the SEC may be involved with college kids, but they are in a professional setting. They play in professional enironments, with the expectations of a professional team, and sometimes those things mean turning your head like a professional team would.
Actually,
I’ve seen guys get kicked off teams in the NFL for much less. Look how much draft stocks fall for perceived “character issues.”
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see where you're coming from, but I just disagree.
Maybe they would eventually fall into the same or similar trap, or maybe they wouldn’t. I have to give people the benefit of the doubt, and wish them the best situation to be in in order to not fall into traps and ruin their futures.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Great post, silverblade. Rec'd.
It goes back to something I said above: it’s arguable that Spurrier and Hyman can’t say their program is dedicated to teaching these kids to be good people if they let Garcia return.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
Yes, yes, you said it first.
Congratulations! You sure brag alot. First UConn. and now this. Just kiddin’, ha.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, honestly, you put it much better than I did.
Sorry if what I wrote came across the wrong way. Wasn’t trying to steal your flame!
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
I can't agree with your logic.
Garcia has had his chances. Time and time again, he exhibits extraordinarily poor judgment. At this point he’s a bad influence on the rest of the team. Spurrier needs to tear a page out of Tanner’s play book. He doesn’t put up with any such non-sense, and they WON A NATIONAL TITLE.
Our baseball team was special
extremely special…. that baseball team and their run can in no way correlate to a football team on the verge of history themselves.
Unless you can honestly say that at the end of the season we find ourselves no better off than we were last season, and you blame Hyman and Spurrier for kicking him off the team, then you cant say kicking him off the team is what you think should happen.
Baseball : Chisenhall & Fuller :: Football : Garcia.
Correlation made. Baseball was on the “verge of history” when they expelled Chisenhall & Fuller. We rebounded from their expulsion, became a stronger team because of it.
Garcia is dead weight anyway.
last years baseball team
rallied around Bayler Teal which started back in 2008. Bayler’s desire to pull through is what gave the team the desire to win by any means.
There were many reasons for our success.
I’m not saying Chisenhall & Fuller’s expulsion was the reason for our success. Far from it. But their discipline set an example of the type of behavior and work ethic that are expected on the baseball team. An example that the football team has needed for years.
I can see where you are coming from in that respect
but it is proven every year that football players do not take notice of a “precedent”, it just doesnt happen with them. Baseball players in college are a totally different breed of student-athlete.
Football players never get a precedent in the first place.
They get coddled. They get sheltered from consequences because people think the fan’s don’t care as long as they produce. And then they don’t even produce. Your logic is the exact way of thinking that USC needs to change. “I expect the football team to be mediocre, so they contiue to be mediocre. They are different.” They aren’t different. They’re just cocky.
its not my logic dude
its how the nation works…. collegiate football players are rockstars (and therefore you have to accept the rockstar behavior).
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
lol disagree??? its facts
im not saying its right… it certainly isnt.
But that is just the cold hard fact.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
“collegiate football players are rockstars (and therefore you have to accept the rockstar behavior).”
Wow, that’s a pretty unhealthy view there Gamecockrock…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits
by Gamecock'n'Balls on Apr 7, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely not a fact
I will spare you the logical breakdown that would irrefutably prove that neither half of that statement is fact (by definition), but alleging that anyone has to “accept” detrimental behavior/mentalities is delusional.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits
by Gamecock'n'Balls on Apr 7, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The only place any college football player is a rockstar is in their own mind.
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
doesnt matter how they are in that persona
the fact is they are, and nothing I have seen will ever change that… football is the only sport you see high school kids treated like royalty because of what they can do on the gridiron.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
if there was any university where football players took notice of
punishments it is South Carolina… how many players have we lost due to behavior problems in the last decade???
We could have used good couple of pitchers
in those lean years right before the National Championship season. Would have been great not to waste Smoak’s talent like we did. A second baseman too, so let’s throw Casey Rhin into the conversation.
Tanner didn’t kick those guys off to make the team better. But when he kicked them off he sure didn’t care about making it worse.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Cocky, Esq., I agree. There's something to be said for the morale boost it gives a team to feel that it's hard work and dedication to improvement is being rewarded.
Keeping Garcia with the team undermines that idea. Is Garcia really worth that much to us?
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
Im not saying hes that important to us
but I dont think he should be kicked off the team for the things he has done.
But am I to be against throwing him into the game if were about to lose the magical season??? ABSOLUTELY NOT. This season might be a one and done, we may not get a better opportunity to finally win the SEC than this season.
I am willing to throw out the “ethics” for one season if that is the result.
The same arguement could have been made for Wesley Saunders.
And I would argue that having Patrick DiMarco as TE instead of Wesley actually helped our football team. You never know how these things will work out. Perhaps having Connor Shaw as “the guy” will be a great thing for USC football.
The point is, it’s a sticky situation and we don’t know what will happen either with or without Garcia. You have to let your ethics guide you in situations like this. If you don’t have your principles, what do you have?
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
That dude gets his name mispelled more than any other player in the history of our team, ha.
Between this and the Panthers blog, I probably see it spelled right about 20% of the time.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
in the case of sports...
championships. I have no doubt that having Saunders last year would have won us 1-2 more games at least. With Saunders, we dont lose that UK game, and we might not lose the first Auburn game and the Arkansas game would have at least been alot closer.
Im all for Shaw getting a chance to start, I believe he can lead the way for us, but im not about to sit here and say having Garcia on the sideline in case we need him is something im against.
You really think Saunders would have won the UK game for us? Why?
It’s not like we had any shortage of talent at receiver in that game.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
its not about shortage of talent
its the fact he was another guy. Saunders was a great red zone guy in 2009, and where were we at the end of the game? (if it would have come down to the last play with Saunders that is).
Name me one play in the Kentucky game
where Patrick DiMarco at TE held us back.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Im not saying we didnt have reliable guys
but you cant say Dimarco is a better TE than Saunders… and Dimarco was always much more valuable to us as a FB.
Maddox filled the FB rolled just fine.
And DiMarco was a better blocker than Wesley ever was. Wesley’s dismissal was a blessing is disguise. In fact, I think we would have lost more games had Wesley been on the team in 2010.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Yet again sure Maddox was a good FB
but he was even better in the RB spot. I honestly dont know how you can say we would have lost more games with Saunders, before his dismissal, he was considered the top rated TE in this years draft.
Top rated players dont lose you more games than they win.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Easy.
Saunders was a top-rated pass-catching TE, not a top-rated blocking TE. A scenario in which we would have lost more games goes like this:
Saunders plays instead of DiMarco —> Saunders misses more blocks —> Garcia gets sacked more —> Carolina makes fewer first downs —> Carolina scores fewer points —> Carolina wins fewer games. Badda bing badda boom.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
All that happens is DiMarco
moves to block at the FB position… Garcia doesnt get sacked any more often, as he has an extra receiving target out there to throw to, he might actually get sacked less
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll buy this argument to a certain degree. Saunders was a great player and we could have used him last year.
But I believe it was time for him to go. He got a million chances and kept screwing up. That’s the real issue for me. Same with Garcia.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 6, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
was he constantly in trouble before his dismissal?
the first thing I heard about him was the agent fiasco.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, he had been suspended multiple times.
It was all locker-room kinds of problems, though. Poor motivation and bad relationships with the coaches, etc. He didn’t break any laws or anything like that.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 6, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
A true soph QB starting.
--Robert
A Towers Alumnus
by a gamecock fan on Apr 6, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Touche.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 6, 2011 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Trust me, I'm not particularly keen on Shaw right now. He's struggled a lot this spring from what I've heard.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
Unfortunately, yes, I'd say he is that important to the team.
That still doesn’t change my opinion on what should happen with him. Man, I really hope Shaw works every day to improve.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't vote unless I know what he did, and it's not my place to know anyway.
Garcia won’t improve as a person if he has to act defensive towards the public ‘cause everyone knows his business. If you treat a guy like something, they’ll just become that even more. The proper people have the information, so whatever Hyman wants to do with Garcia’s career here is cool with me.
I think his future as a football player being in shambles may be good for him in the long run. It may humble him if nothing else.
stuff 'bout stuff.
I dont want anyone to think im for unethical behavior
but I realize what it takes to win in this conference due to how the other programs run themselves. If you are looking for consistently winning championships AND being ethical doing it, you are in the wrong conference.
I can see where you're coming from, as this is the kind of precedent programs like Auburn, Alabama, and Florida have set.
However, that’s not the program I want. And I can promise you that if we bump Garcia and struggle because of it, I won’t blame Spurrier and Hyman after the fact. I despise Meyer and Saban for some of the stuff they’ve pulled. Like FW said, they run football programs like they’re NFL franchises.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
I do blame Spurrier for not having a good quarterback after a billion seasons at Carolina.
If we flop this season, it’s half on Spurrier in my book.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 6, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That's fair enough. The truth is, this wouldn't be an issue if Spurrier could recruit a decent QB.
The only decent one he’s recruited here is Garcia, and Garcia is a screw-up.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
hate him all you want
but if he was a Gamecock you wouldnt be saying the stuff, im sure. Same as Lattimore
If it came out Lattimore was brought here under illegal means, you wouldnt boo him out the university.
I would. Trust me. Just like I'm calling for Garcia's head here.
One of the reasons I love Lattimore so much, by the way, is because I know that he wouldn’t do that. There’s no comparison between Scam and Lattimore in the character department.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
+1 Gamecock Man.
That’s the reason that Ryan Brewer was so loved. He was a great guy, and he was a great player.
Im not saying there is
but people can deceive you very easily by playing the part of the “good guy”. I know I didnt think Cam was bad until the stuff started coming out.
Amen, brother
UGA has certainly underachieved the last few years. While we may not have that national title that many of us feel like we should be in the hunt for, at least we know we’re losing these games fair and square. I can sleep better at night knowing that the most visible aspect of my alma mater is doing things the right way. I never want my alma mater to accept the “winning at all costs” attitude like the Auburn all-ins and start spending in free agency just because a national title is in the works.
As The Feathered Warrior stated above, this is still an amateur game no matter how much it may seem otherwise. I expect the rules to be enforced as such and I believe the “everyone else is doing it” argument to be complete horse crap. Spend some time over at Track em Tigers if you want to see complete delusion about amateur status and the right way of doing things. As much as I honestly hate Steve Spurrier, I still respect the fact that he tries to run a clean program and isn’t willing to brush things to the side. More than can be said about many of his other contemporaries in this league cough*SEC West*cough.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
by AuditDawg on Apr 7, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1, Audit. Great post.
I feel the same way about Richt that you feel about Spurrier, by the way. I have a healthy sense of rivalry with UGA and Richt, but I respect the way Richt does things.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
So I come home ...
from an after-work meeting, and see this. sigh
well, on the bright side, this takes care of the great poster debate lol :~)
They wore garnet helmets.
I feel the same way.
I spent fourteen hours translating manuscripts written by half-literate 18th century French peasants…and I come home to this. At least I bought a Bud 24oz on the way home. I’ll drink it in memory of Garcia.
I know this sounds horrible, but I think we should keep him.
--Robert
A Towers Alumnus
by a gamecock fan on Apr 6, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Robert, are you a historian? What do you do? Just curious.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
here we go... this a quote from Gamecockcentral.com
“Gamecock players took to their Twitter feeds as soon as practice was over, defending the embattled quarterback.
‘I still love Garcia he still the best quarterback in the SEC,’ Stephon Gilmore said on his outlet. ‘We got ur back bro.’"
From this… I think kicking him off the team will ruin the season coming up.
Well...
One thing I will say is that despite all that’s been said here, we still don’t know the entire story, and we should give Garcia the benefit of the doubt until we do.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 6, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I know one thing, and one thing for certain
if you go to twitter and look at the messages the players are putting out… your opinion of what is best for the team would be COMPLETELY different. They seem to look towards Garcia as a team leader now, and nothing could be worse than throwing that leader off the team.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
also their posts
are indicating whatever he did wasnt as serious as people have made it sound. And I think they would know more than any media source, since they were at the event.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that all does put the issue in another light.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
It really doesnt for me
I expect his teammates to rally around Stephen. That’s what good teammates do – right or wrong. Just like they did for Weslye Saunders. Heck, that is what they’ve been trained to do.
But was Stephen being a good teammate to them? Didn’t he guarantee us – the USC fans – that there would be no more trouble? I think its pretty clear that USC’s administration and coaching staff didn’t want this. I don’t think someone was gunning for Stephen here. If he was boorish and (apparently) intoxicated at a scholar-athlete meeting, then he made his own bed.
I share your concern that Garcia may have a drinking problem. If he does, I hope he gets the help he needs. Maybe its his way of coping with all of the stress and pressure he is under. I feel sorry its ending (possibly) for him. We all wanted so much more for him than this.
They wore garnet helmets.
I was more interested in the part about how his teammates may know that what he did may have been extremely insignificant.
Although still, you have to imagine he should be on a zero-tolerance policy.
I do worry that he has a drinking problem. His behavior goes a little further than what you expect from the typical college male. If it’s an alcohol issue and he’s open to treatment as a condition of remaining on the team, I would support keeping him on board in that case, IF he dedicates himself to not drinking.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
Ok I see what you were saying
that’s the tough thing about zero tolerance – the thing that kills you is often a misdemeanor in the great scheme of things. And you know from your own sojourn in academia that some of these administrators can be nit-picky as cats.
But – as they say – it is what it is.
They wore garnet helmets.
Its come out that he had a few drinks
while celebrating Kyle Nunn’s birthday. If this information holds true I doubt he will be kicked off the team, as its just unfortunate timing. I dont know of a single male who wouldnt have a few beers to celebrate a friends birthday.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it should be noted that some people don't drink ever, at all.
I’m not against drinking wine on occasion, even if I don’t personally do it, but I am steadfastly morally opposed to getting drunk. I do other things wrong on a daily basis, but I just think it should be noted it is not impossible to refuse to drink.
If Garcia is addicted, I have all the sympathy for him in the world. As someone else said, if that’s the case and he seeks help, I would agree with keeping him on the team.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
One thing's for sure...
Nothing quite gets Carolina fans chattering like Stephen Garcia.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
I for one would have defended anyone in this position
dismissing players from teams is a huge deal, and one that shouldnt be made unless the crime is absolutely unforgivable… everybody has gotten a bit tipsy in their lives and made a fool of themselves.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 6, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it is a huge deal.
He could just transfer though. I imagine some other team who hasn’t had to see all his transgressions unfold would put up with him for a season. Don’t football players have to sit a year when they transfer? That could be his probation period with the new team.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Transfers
I think he could transfer down to an FCS [D1AA] program and play immediately if someone would have him. That would seems the most likely option.
As far as another FBS [D1] school, I don’t think that is a realistic option because he has five years to play four seasons. He wore the redshirt his true freshman year, and then lettered as a RS Freshman (year 1), RS sophomore (year 2) and RS Junior (year 3 – last year).
We know if he transfers to a D1 school he must sit a year – unless he does something really funky like graduate and then apply to a grad program that USC doesn’t offer (like Jeremiah Masoli). I don’t know where he is academically, but I would bet he’s taken a minimum load and still isnt ready to graduate early.
I suppose if he was determined to play D1 ball, he could ask the NCAA for a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility that lets him sit 2011 at the new school and play D1 in 2012 – but that would make him, what, 22-23?
If he leaves, I imagine he goes the D1AA/FCS route.
They wore garnet helmets.
He's already 23, tryptic. Which makes this scenario all the worse.
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think he's going to the NFL anyway.
I doubt the Canadian league is as obsessed with fostering young talent as the NFL is.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Garcia's is just a case of getting tipsy once or twice and making a fool of himself.
He keeps doing, after promising not do so anymore. He’s on like his last last last chance at this point.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
One can only handle so much BS.
5 suspensions in 5 years, with the last coming days after a speech made by SG claiming he was done with trouble at USC for good. See ya’ later, son. You had plenty of chances.
I’m a lenient guy, but keeping him sends a message of overtolerance for the disregard of what it means to wear Carolina on your chest.
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 7:49 AM EDT reply actions
I think you are taking this a bit too personally
we still dont have all the facts, so there really isnt any cause to say he needs to be tossed out yet.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm really not, Gamecockrock.
Though I certainly used a personal story in my article to make my point, it’s the fact that it’s the FIFTH suspension in five years. We should have a three strike policy to begin with. Who deserves more than three chances to do the acts of going to class, going to practice, and having a good time without getting in trouble during a college tenure? No one would consider me a strict, straight arrow, stick-by-the-rules guy, either.
The issue is: how much is too much? Crazy that he’s been suspended that many times. Part of my problem is also the fact that I’m still plugged in a bit up there with students and I’ve heard countless stories of beyond normal college partying – and, I’ll tell you, I wasn’t mild.
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I could see the reasoning
if it was the fact Garcia was doing really bad things… lets not kid ourselves here, we all have a drink every now and then. I could see the reasoning to dismiss him from the team if he was doing things that was unforgivable like the guys around this conference do and get away with (I was more upset at the fact he blatantly lied to us just 2 weeks before this happened than the actual “behavior”)
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
It's not like Garcia is "just having a drink" though.
He’s having drunken orgies in his hotel room shortly before one of the biggest games of his career. He’s showing up tanked at AD functions. He’s doing it over, and over, and over again.
I wasn’t mild in college, either—far from it. I can honestly say that I can understand Garcia’s perspective, because I was a pretty wild college student, too. Heck, I kept it up at a milder degree for most of my 20s. (I’ve changed a lot now that I’m starting down 30, BTW.) However, I can tell you that of all the stupid things I did, showing up for an important work function drunk is not on the list. That’s a whole new level of misbehavior. Many companies will forgive non-felonious substance abuse violations (bad drug tests, DUIs, etc.) if they happen on the employee’s own time. Most will not forgive compromising company priorities with such behavior by showing up to work drunk. It sounds like that’s essentially what Garcia did here, only a few weeks after promising that he’s going to be on his best behavior.
That said, I do strongly believe that if he has an alcohol problem and is willing to admit he needs help, the AD should support him. IF he’s willing to get help.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
no doubt about that
every guy in their 20’s could use an AA meeting every once in a while.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I actually think there's perhaps some truth to that.
And that’s why I would support reinstating Garcia a little down the road if he’s given a little time to get himself together and proves that he’s willing to take proactive steps towards getting his act together. At this point, a simple promise won’t suffice, though. At this point, something stronger is necessary, like seeking counseling or getting himself into some sort of treatment program.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea
unfortunately I think the timeline is too small for him to get serious help with his “problem”. I would think that sort of thing would take several months at least.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, I think things should be handled on a case by case basis.
Every situation is different. I don’t agree with objective, inflexible rules like three strike policies.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I tend to agree, silverblade.
They can lead to bizarre situations. I’m sure we’ve all heard of the guy who was thrown in jail for 20 years for stealing a slice of pizza as his third strike.
Some kind of standard is necessary, though.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I certainly understand the pitfalls of an inflexible three-strike policy.
I guess I’m somewhere between the case by case and set limit. There just can’t be too many cases to look at for one guy, you know what I mean? Here, we’re talking about five, and the question is is that too many?
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
To me no
his 5 incidents doesnt even equal 1 of the things I have seen players around the nation do and get away with. I just cant see the sense in trying to run such a squeaky clean program when the teams around the conference and nation take such strides to make sure their key players are not missing games. If your objective is to be a respectable athletic program with no consistent success then sure, but having the ability to say the college team im a fan of is filled with saints and the second coming of christ is not why I am a fan.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone on here is suggesting the team to be filled with saints.
by Skulls and Spurs on Apr 7, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
not in lamens terms no
but kicking a guy off the team for having a few drinks is cutting it awfully close to moving in that direction.
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
In the grand scheme of things
I think you have to cut him. Its just too much. Maybe this incident was minor but because he’s on such short leash this action was taken. I get the players rallying around him but at this point its just too much of a distraction.
I figured it out
SG watched the movie The Program and saw that it was filmed at SC. He’s trying to be like the QB in the movie Joe Kane.
there ya go GABA
this clearly states everything will be OK
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
BTW, Gamecockrock, just wanted to let you know that even though I’ve disagreed with a lot of what you’ve said here, I respect your opinion and am glad you’re here.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
haha thanks
I dont neccessarily agree with the things I have said (not all of them anyways), but I do like to bring the other side of the arguement to light. The side in which I speak of in this case of course, is the success of our program.
And congrats on being the 100th comment :P (first time I think I have seen 100 comments on a non-football open thread post)
by Gamecockrock on Apr 7, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Like I said, nothing gets Carolina fans talking like Garcia!
Not sure about whether this is the first non-open thread post with 100 comments. You might be right.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Apr 7, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
bottom line
are you willing to throw away an SEC Championship by dismissing Garcia to be “ethical” and accept a sub .500 season?
Not to say that is what will happen, but it is the most likely result of turning to a guy who has thrown 33 passes in his career and his backup has never stepped foot on a football field for a snap during a game.
I think something around 7-5 is more likely, but yes I am willing to do that.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
There are a lot of starting quarterbacks who don't get into trouble.
Though Garcia may have won us the division next season, I think it’s highly questionable he’s good enough to win anything beyond that, and we have no one right now to step up and at least do as well as Garcia. That’s on Spurrier, and I will complain.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Garcia would have been the best QB in the SEC next season
wether he was good enough to win the championship is beyond the point, he was the best guy at the position, which means he would have given us all we need to win it. Spurrier can only do so much, its up to the QB’s to put in the work and effort to become the best they can be, its not Spurrier out there taking the snaps.
He recruits them, and I'm not entirely certain the complexity of his passing scheme has nothing to do with our quarterbacks' failures.
All I know is almost every quarterback Spurrier has brought in has been mediocre at best. Something is wrong.
I think it’s debatable Garcia would have been the best in the conference. We haven’t even seen a bunch of the new guys play yet. Garcia can be a turnover machine sometimes. If one of the other quarterbacks could just be a game manager, without doing anything spectacular, I’d consider them better than Garcia if Garcia went into the Championship Game and gave it away on picks and fumbles.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Apr 7, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Just because Spurrier is a heisman winning QB and famous QB coach
doesnt mean the great QBs are going to come here. Alot of kids actually wouldnt like playing for Spurrier, he always expects more, and alot of high schools kids nowadays do not wanna play for a guy like that.
Aaron Murray is going to be the best QB in the conference.
Hands down.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Apr 7, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
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